Copywriter in Edinburgh

Client plug: New The Melting Pot site launches

In a previous post, I mentioned I was working on reworked copy for The Melting Pot's new website. The site is now live and looks great. With a very tight turnaround, the brief for the copy was to address the needs of a couple of different audiences - members and event space customers - and show how The Melting Pot can meet those needs, as well as communicating TMP's core social enterprise messages through a restructured website with clearer navigation links. I'm going to be based in The Melting Pot for a few hours a month, and can hold client meetings there if required.

New site

Previous home page (click for big version in pop-up window):

Serebra Connect: Outsourcing for good

I’ve been working on a project called Serebra Connect for Serebra Learning Corporation for more than a year now. It's a very worthwhile project. Here's the scoop...

Serebra's global skills program, easyLearning, brings subsidised training to developing countries. However, the thousands of people it educates are having a hard time finding jobs. For instance, Uganda has 390,000 new job seekers every year but only creates 8,120 new jobs. In order to combat this lack of work opportunities in developing nations, Serebra created Serebra Connect.

Serebra Connect lets you outsource your small tasks, such as updating your website or designing your business cards and brochures, to someone in a developing country, and helps them earn an income and improve their skills. 

Basically, it’s a platform you can use to turn your small tasks into big opportunities for people who need them, while letting you save some money in the process. The team behind the website are always making improvements and I think the social responsibility element, including the link with training provision in the developing world, makes it a very good alternative to similar platforms such as Elance.

New client notice: Veratta

Proof that distance is no barrier in the age of the Internet, I have completed a short, urgent project for a new client back in Vancouver. Veratta design agency contacted me through the "Vancouver arm" of my freelance business - Tincan Communications - to work on copy for a series of brochures for their client, the Plaza 500 Hotel in Vancouver. They weren't put off by the 8-hour time distance and, although in an ideal world it would have been good to have a face-to-face meeting, the project went through without a hitch.

Just Ask Baby launches

I've been working on a project for a number of months now called JustAskBaby.com. Along with Annemarie of yoyomama.ca, I write content for the site, as well as working on site tour video and promotion scripts, PR and marketing material including the launch press release and PR stories. There was also an SEO element. Let's just say it was - and still is - a BIG project, as well as a very interesting one.

Just Ask Baby is a unique way to get to know what's going on inside your baby's head, which, speaking as a non-parent, would seem to be a very useful thing to know. Two things stand out for me about this project: the very high production values and playback quality of the videos on the site (they used Hollywood screenwriters and top production houses) and the completely unique approach to delivering parenting information. Something else I like about it is that the team have made the decision not to accept advertising or sponsorshop, allowing them to deliver their information free of influence of manufacturers, etc. In other words, they're not trying to sell nappies, but genuinely want to provide this service to parents. Instead, they are charging a small subscription fee.

The site went live yesterday at JustAskBaby.com and I'm sure it's going to be a huge success. The pint-sized star of the videos has already appeared in Time Square (click image for a big version):

Guide to Vancouver published

Last year I was commissioned to write the introductory section to Vancouver: The Complete Resident's Guide. The book was recently published by Explorer Publishing and is exactly what it says on the tin - a complete guide for new residents, as well as visitors, to Canada's youngest metropolis. If you want, you can get it here.